Arcane Heir: History's Strongest Mage

"So what? You're telling me that the royal family is going to intervene now?" Michael asked with a frown.

Melody nodded, "They have no choice in the matter. The Bishop family have enlisted the support of at least ten other noble families for the appeal…" she said softly.

"If the royal family don't comply with the old laws, there is a risk of civil war breaking out in the future. You should know that the Pritchard family would not risk something like this—not when we have the great war as a precedent."

The room went silent as Michael contemplated her words. He could understand the royal family's position, especially when it came to civil war. Magic society were still recovering even two-thousand years after the great war after all.

"So what does this all mean? Are they going to force you to marry someone from the elite families?" Rudy piped up for the first time in a while, wearing an impassive expression.

"I… I don't know." Melody admitted, lowering her head.

Hearing the frailty in her voice, Michael felt his heart ache. While he had been just as much a victim as her thanks to Brian Winterborne's political machinations, he felt as if he'd been much more well off in comparison.

"Well there's no point in worrying about it now." Michael stated, standing up from his spot on the lounge. He walked over to the blue-haired girl and placed a hand upon her shoulder, "knowing your father, he's probably already scheming to save you."

A small self-deprecating smile tugged at his lips as he looked down at the young and vulnerable woman.

"And no matter what happens, you've got us, remember?" he added.

She finally raised her gaze, unable to hide the wry smile now on her lips.

"He's right, so stop worrying. There's not much you can do until you return home in a few days anyway." Rudy added, letting out a small sigh. "We still have the mana theory and history exams left, we should probably study for those…"

At the mention of studying, Michael felt his smile disappear. He had almost forgotten they were still in the middle of midterms.

"I didn't think it was possible, but you managed to make me even more depressed…" Melody said in a small voice, shooting a bemused look towards Rudy.

"Yeah, to think you would be the one to bring up studying and exams. Did you get hit in the head during our combat exam? Do we need to go see Madame Hilda again?" Michael asked, feeling amused.

The room was quickly filled with soft laughter, improving the mood slightly.

After a while, Melody got up from her arm chair and stretched slightly, "you guys start, I'm going to get some food before the kitchen's close for the night."

Hearing this, Michael smiled. Since the girls' appetite had returned, it meant that she was likely feeling better already.

The two watched as she left the room a few moments later before slinking back into their chairs at almost the same time.

"She's nothing but trouble man…" Rudy said, his voice weary.

Michael let out a hollow chuckle, "you're telling me… But it's not like it's her own fault. If it wasn't for her unique position, the nobles wouldn't be going through such lengths to secure her into their family…"

"That's what I've been wondering, why are they working so hard to marry her? Sure she's related to the king, but it can't be worth all this effort right?" Rudy sounded unsure.

Michael was going to respond, but he paused, thinking about it for a few moments.

Is it really worth all this trouble? He thought silently.

After all, even if Melody were to marry into the family, at most it would only create some ties to the royal family and the king. But it wasn't like the king himself was particularly doting of his niece.

In fact, in the three years he was at the Winterborne manor, no member of the royal family had visited them at all—even for Mary, the King's sister.

"I don't know…" he finally admitted out loud.

It felt like there was something he was missing—a piece of the puzzle that had yet to be revealed. Just why was Melody so sought after? Why was someone like the Bishop family making such a fuss?

There must be benefits, otherwise they wouldn't make such a move… he concluded.

It looks like I'll need to have a nice long chat with Brian.

With his mind made up, Michael shook his head, throwing such thoughts aside for now. "Well, no use in thinking about it now. We still have plenty of work to do before the semester ends."

Rudy let out a pained groan, getting to his feet slowly.

Michael raised an eyebrow, "Hey, you were the one who brought up studying—why are you complaining now?"

"I was reading the room man… I was hoping to distract her with something you know?"

At this, Michael laughed, swiftly getting off the lounge and patting his friend on the shoulder. "You're a good friend Rudy."

"Eh? What's this all of a sudden?" he asked, looking a little flustered.

"Nothing, just… never change okay?"

A small silence stretched out between them as they shared a look. A smile crept onto Rudy's face as he was about to reply—but then his features morphed into one of pain.

"Ah shit, my tummy…"

Without another word, he bolted towards the bathroom, frantically opening the door and shutting it swiftly behind him, leaving Michael staring at the place where he'd disappeared.

In the next moment, an explosion went off, the rumble almost causing the walls to shake. Michael blinked a few times, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"Okay… Maybe change a little." He said in a small tone, shaking his head.

However, the smell seemed to escape from the room, pervading the violet dorm. Michael's expression scrunched up as his hand flashed towards his nose, blocking the corruption.

He was forced to open the large window and hang his head outside for fresh air.